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CBBBMO^I^ 




O. E. S. 



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A CEREMONY 



Constituting Chapters 



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JAMES MARTIN, W. P. 






PUBLISHEB BY JAS. MARTIN, PATERSON, "WTTJ. 
1862. 



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INTRODUCTION. 



These pages, like many others, owe their origin to 
necessity. It was not at first intended to present the 
work in this shape, but the frequently expressed wish 
for its publication at last induced the author to set 
about the task, and it is offered without comment. 

It may not at all times be necessary to adopt the fol- 
lowing suggestions, but they are recommended as 
being proper and appropriate. 

When Chapters are instituted by Dispensation, they 
should petition the Grand Chapter, at the session fol- 
lowing, for a Charter of Constitution, v/hich, if grant- 
ed, confirms them in all the rights and privileges of 
the Order. The Grand Matron then appoints a time 
for constituting the new Chapter and installing its 
officers. 

If, for any reason, the Grand Matron cannot be 
present, she should issue an instrument in writing, 
Tinder her hand and private seal, aj^pointing the 
Associate Grand Matron or some Past Matron (who 
may for the time being possess the title of Deputy 
Grand Matron) to act for her. 

The constitution of a Chapter should precede all 
other business except the opening. 

That the ceremony may proceed without interrup- 
tion, it would be well to provide the Grand Marshal 
with the roll of Officers and Members and the Dispen- 
sation, or have them convenient. 

The Dispensation should be cancelled by the Grand 
Matron and returned to the Grand Secretary, for pre- 
servation in the archives. 



Cei'einoqy of Coq^titutioq. 



At the time appointed the Grand Officers will meet in a 
room near to or adjoining that in which the Chapter to be 
^constituted is assembled. When the Chapter has been open- 
ed, the Worthy Matron will say : 

W. M — Sister Associate Conductress. 

A. C— Worthy Matron. 

W. M. — Ketire to the Preparation Koom and an- 
nounce to the Worthy Grand Matron that — Chapter, 
U. D,, is in order, awaiting her pleasure. 

The A. C. retires and announces as directed. When the 
Orand Officers are prepared to enter she will give the usual 
alarm. * * * * * 

Gond. — Worthy Matron, 
W. M. —Sister Conductress. 

G. — There is an alarm at the door of our Prepara- 
tion Eoom. 

W. M. — You will ascertain the cause of the alarm. 

C. goes to the door, answers the alarm, and then opening 
the door says: 

G. — Who knocks at the door of our Chapter ? 

A. G. — The 'Associate Conductress, with the Grand 
Matron and officers of the Grand Chapter of — , who 
are prepared to enter. 

C. closes the door, and, advancing, says : 

G. — The alarm was caused by the A. C, who an- 



nounces that the Grand Matron and officers of the 
Graaid Chapter of — are prepared to enter. 
W. if.— Admit them. 

The C. opens the door and the Grand Officers enter, led by 
the C. and A. C. of the Chapter U. D. As they enter the Chap- 
ter is called up and music furnished. 



Assoc. Cond. * * Conductress. 

Gr. Electa * _^ * Gr. Adah. 

Gr. Martha * " -^m^ * Gr, Euth. 

Gr. Chaplain * ^^ * Gr. Esther. 

Gr. Treas. * r^^tsinn^ * qj,_ Sec'y. 

Gr. A. Matron * * Gr. Warder. 

Gr. Assoc Cond. * * * « q^ Conductress. 



When the above position is reached, the Grand Marshal, 
advancing slightJy, says : 

G. Marshal — Worthy Matron, I have the honor to 
present to you Sister — , G. M., and Bro. — , G. P., 
of this State, and their Associate Grand Officers. 

W. if.— Sister — , G. M., Bro. — , G. P., and offi- 
cers of the Grand Chapter, it is with pleasure I wel- 
come you into this Chapter. Sisters Conductress and 
Associate Conductress, you will escort our G. M. and 
G. P. to the East. 

The C. escorts the G. M. and the A. C. the G. P. Upon 
reaching- the East they are saluted with the G. H. The W. M. 
then resigns the gavel to the G. M., who says : 

G. M. —Officers of the Grand Chapter, you will 
assume the respective stations of the officers of this 
Chapter. 



The officers of the Chapter vacate their stations and they 
are taken by the Grand Officers. 

An Ode may then be sung, and the Chapter is seated. 



The Grand Patron then rises, and addressing the Grand 
Matron, says : 

G. P. — Worthy Grand Matron, the officers and 
members of — Chapter, here assembled, have instruct- 
ed me to inform you that — . W. G. P., (or Past W 
G. P., as the case may be) was pleased to grant them 
a letter of Dispensation, dated the — day of — , 18 — , 
authorizing them to form and open a Chapter of the 
Order of the Eastern Star. Since then they have met 
regularly and conducted business according to the 
best of their ability. Having received the approba- 
tion of the Grand Chapter, they have been granted a 
Charter, and are desirous that their Chapter should 
be constituted and their officers installed agreeable 
to the customs of the Order ; for which purpose they 
are now assembled. 

O. il/". —Sisters and brothers, the institution of a 
new Chapter is an important event in the history of 
our Order, and its gravity should be well considered. 
Before investing it with official authority we will 
invoke the blessing of Him from whom cometh all 
wisdom and strength. Let us unite in prayer. 

The Chapter is called up, and the G. Chaplain repeats, at 
the altar, the 

PRAYER 

On page 67 of Eitual. The G. M. seats the Chapter and then 
•continues : 

O. M. — Bro. Grand Marshal, you will call the roll 
of members, who, as their names are called, will form 
a semi-circle on the West side of the altar. 



When the members of the new Chapter are in position, the* 
Grand Marsha] will say : 

G. Marslial — Worthy Grand Matron, I have the 
pleasure of presenting the members of — Chapter, 
who, being duly instructed in the ceremonies of our 
Order, are worthy persons to be confirmed in the 
rights and privileges of a regular Chapter. In their 
behalf I deliver to you this Dispensation, by authority 
of which they have for some time past assembled. 

The Dispensation is given to the Grand Matron, who says: 

G. M. — It is well. Upon due deliberation the 
Grand Chapter of — has granted a Charter to the sis- 
ters and brothers of this Chapter, which the Grand 
Secretary will now read. 

The Charter being read, the G. M. proceeds : 

G. M.~ Sisters and brothers, you have heard read 
the Charter granted to you. Do you accept it upon 
the conditions named therein ? 

Ans. — We do. 

G. M. — It is well; but before constituting your- 
Chapter, it will be necessary to give your unqualified 
assent to certain pledges of fidelity, which the Grand 
Patron will now repeat to you. 

Grand Fair on —J) o you solemnly, and in the 
presence of these witnesses, pledge, yourselves — 

1st. That you will bear true allegiance to the laws 
and regulations of the Grand Chapter, and the by- 
laws of the Chapter of which you may be a member ? 

Ans. — I will. 

2d. That you will never be governed by personal 
prejudices in matters that relate to members of your- 



body, or to other worthy members of the Order, or* 
to those applying for admission into your Chapter ? 

Ans. — l will. 

3d. That you will contribute, so far as in your 
power, to the general good of the Order, avoid quar- 
rels and evil speaking, and be kind and courteous to 
members of the Order wherever you may meet them ? 

Ans.— l will. 

G. P.^Kepeat then, after me, the following 

AFFIRMATION : 

These are my solemn, sacred pledges, and I will 
truly and earnestly keep them. 

The G. P. directs the members of the .new Chapter to be 
seated oa the left, and then says : 

G P — Worthy Grand Matron, a voluntary assent 
has been given to all the pledges. 

G. M.—lt is well. Sister (or Bro.) — , you will' 
proceed to install the officers elect. 

The G. M. should previously appoint some sister or brother 
(with a rank not lower than P. M. or P. P.) as Grand Installing 
Officer, who, when directed as above, will proceed with the 

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, 

beginning on page 68, at the words, " riall the roll of officers, 
&(', " (the prayer having previously been used) The Grand 
Officers will vacate the stations in their order, except the G.. 
M., the W. M. being seated on her right. 

After the proc'amation by the Grand Marshal that the offi- 
cers have been installed, he will form them, with the mem- 
bers, in a 

CIRCLE AROUND THE ALTAR, 

the Grand Chaplain in the centre. The Grand Matron will 
then say: 

G. M. — Bro. Grand Chaplain, you will now dedi- 
cate — Chapter, No. — . 



DEDICATION, 



O. G. — To the memory of the five heroines of our 
Order we dedicate this Chapter ; may every sister 
revere their character and emulate their virtues. 

O. M. — Let us unite in prayer. 



PKAYEB. 

" Source of all wisdom, trutti and love, grant to us that in 
the reception of this Chapter into our Order, we may add 
strength to strength, and grace to grace. May the golden 
chain thus lengthened become brighter, and be strengthened 
for the great work we strive to do. Enlarge our powers to 
benefit mankind, to honor Thee our God, and to realize the 
lull happiness of serving Thee forever." 

Response. —So may it ever be. 

CONSTITUTION. 

G. M. — In the name of the Grand Chapter, and by 
the power vested in me as Grand Matron of the State 
of — , I now form you into a Chapter of the Order 
of the Eastern Star. Henceforth, I empower you 
to act as a regular Chapter ; and may the Supreme 
Kuler of the Universe prosper, direct and counsel 
you in all your doings. 

Music may here be appropriately introduced, after which 
the W. M. and W. P. are escorted to the East by the Grand 
Marshal. Upon reaching the dais the W. M. receives the 
Gavel from the G. M., takes her proper station and seats 
the Chapter. 



..[rlBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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